You are the light of the world and you are the light of the world and you are the light of the world and you are the light of the world. Even those sitting in the back row trying to keep their heads down, you also are the light of the world. Remember that Jesus… Read More »

Jesus sent the apostles out to have an initial taste of what it was like to bring good news to people. They came back full of stories. Then he said, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” This was not simply a vacay because they were tired. This was also… Read More »

After the “dance of the seven veils” (according to legend) King Herod Agrippa promised Salome anything she wanted “even to half of my kingdom.” She asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. He knew it wasn’t right. He didn’t want to do it. But because of his oaths and the guests… Read More »

Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David, with his sovereignty firmly established. The Bible likes to tell the story of salvation as an inexorable movement where God’s will gradually unfolds. Reading between the lines the story is more complicated. The succession of Solomon to the throne of his father David was not… Read More »

There is a human tendency to put other people in boxes. Germans are organized, Italians are romantic, Irish are sentimental. That tendency can also be used for individuals. If Johnny was lazy as a child he will surely be a lazy adult. The people of Nazareth tried to put Jesus in a box when he… Read More »

You can imagine how relieved Jairus felt when Jesus agreed to visit his sick daughter: “Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” Then imagine how Jairus felt when Jesus is stopped on the way by the woman seeking a healing. He probably thought some variation of “you have… Read More »

The man possessed by Legion wanted to follow Jesus after he had been cured. Jesus told him he had a different path: “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis. That… Read More »

If I were to ask, “is suffering a bad thing?” most people would say, “sure, suffering is a bad thing.” Let’s think about that though. Putting mustard on your egg roll or tabasco sauce on rice and beans causes suffering but it hurts so good. Going for that long run or extending the workout so… Read More »

David was king, powerful. His adviser, Nathan, saw up close and personal what happened when someone got in his way. Uriah had been killed at his orders. Joab had gone along with David’s order. He had cooperated in the evil and come out secure. Nonetheless when Nathan saw evil he felt he had to confront… Read More »

The lives of the saints are chock-a-block with miracle stories, some passing strange. Jesus in his parables asks us to open our eyes and see that a hundred million miracles are happening every day. “If a man were to scatter seed on the land … the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.”… Read More »